The Multnomah County Library has summer promotions to encourage reading and writing.

The Teen Writing contest is open to students in grades 6 – 12. To enter, write your best prose or poetry (under five pages, in English) and submit it. Entries will be received until July 31, 2008 (or until there are 100 submissions, whichever comes first.) For submission information, check the library website.

For adults, the library is holding a Read 4 Life promotion. Here's how it works:

• Pick up a Read 4 Life card at any Multnomah County Library.
• Read or listen to 4–6 books
• Complete the Read 4 Life card and return it to any Multnomah County Library by August 31, 2008. All entries will be eligible to win McMenamins gift certificate and the grand prize of a stay at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, Oregon.

  Hint: If you can, stay at the Sylvia Beach Hotel this summer. The rooms are all literary themed and it's right on the ocean.